Collapsible bench and table structure



Nov. 23, 1937. w. H. LYKINS COLLAPSIBLE BENCH AND TABLE STRUCTURE 3Sheets-sheaf. 1

Filed Sept. 27 1934 ATTORNEY):

Nov. 23, 1937. w. H. LYKINS COLLAPSIBLE BENCH AND TABLE STRUCTURE FiledSept. 27. 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I74 175 INVENTOR.

#7 409 b. ZkAl/Y-S.

ATTORNEYS;

Nov. 23, 1937. w. H. LYKINS COLLAPSIBLE BENCH'AND TABLE STRUdTURE FiledSept. 27, 1 954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'INVENTOR. W/zz/nw /7. 1 Moms,

ATTORNEYJ.

Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES COLLAPSIBLE BENCH AND TABLESTRUCTURE William H. Lykins, Covington, Ind.

Application September 27, 1934, Serial No. 745,660

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a knockdown collapsible and nestablecombination table and bench structure, wherein a pair of benches servesas a container for the table structure and either or both may be usedindependently of the table structure use and which benches when incontainer formation, will be operatively associated together to form asingle unit, readily adaptable for mounting upon the running board of anautomobile.

The chief object of the invention is, as hereinbefore suggested, toprovide a bench and table structural arrangement which is readilycollapsible and so arranged that the bench or benches,

' may be used independently of the table structure and which nest thetable forming parts and which benches, when collapsed, in addition toforming the container for the table forming portion of the device, areadapted to be associated together as a single unit for readytransportation and also adapted for relatively easy mounting upon therunning board of an automobile, or the like.

The chief feature of the invention consists in the formation of therespective parts so they have the cooperative relationship beforementioned.

Other features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter andwill be specifically set forth with respect to the associated parts.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and thefollowing description and claims:

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a pair of bench structuresoperatively associated together with the table structure nested therein,the benches forming the container.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of one combination container and bench withthe legs in collapsed position and with the table leaf structure nestedand retained therein.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the other combination container andbench structure with a table leaf supporting or leg structure nestedtherein and the bench legs being shown in extended or bench formingposition and showing this combination bench and container provided witha plate, eating utensils and table cloth compartments.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a bench structure in bench formingposition.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the table leg structure in table topsupporting position.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the table leaf structure insemi-collapsed position.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged perspective view of the cooperating connectionbetween one table top supporting rail and the upper end of one of theleg braces between the end frames constituting the table support.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the cooperating connectionbetween the crossed legs of one of the end frames constituting a tabletop support and the lower end of the adjacent leg brace associatedtherewith.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken. on line 9-9 of Fig. 5 of thedetachable connection included in the end frame, each end frame beingprovided with one of said detachable constructions.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view through a portion of the runningboard of an automobile showing the invention supported thereby andlocked tothe same for transportation purposes.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the container locking mechanism associatedwith the container bolt and constitutes a modified form of the in-.

vention.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a container bolt associated with themechanism shown in the modified form in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the pivotal connection ofthe legs of the leg frame, showing a modified form of detachableanchorage adjacent thereto.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the lower end of one of the bracemembers which cooperates with the form of anchorage shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of a modified form of leg brace lockin looking position.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of the angular retainer structureand associated parts embodied in the invention. I

Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the angle bracket andstop structure embodied in the invention.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the pronged plate providedwith a tongue.

In the drawings, l5 indicates one side of a container structure whichconstitutes the seatboard of a bench, IS the legs pivotally supported atI 1 and aligned with the side rails l8. Mounted thereon in the bracketsI9 is a U-shaped handle support 2 0 having the handle 2| at itsmidportion. Another seat board has legs 26 pivotally supported at 2'!and mounted in the brackets 29 on one of the side rails 28 attached tothe container side 25, which constitutes a seat-board, is the U-shapedhandle supporting member 30 having the handle 3| thereon. These twocontainers when associated together, as illustrated in Fig. 1, areadapted to have the two handle portions 2| and 3| positioned adjacenteach other or in contact, so they may be simultaneously gripped withinone hand and the entire unit carried as such. The locking mechanism forassociating the two halves of the container, as it were, will be setforth more fully hereinafter.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated the upper half portion shown in Fig. 1 ofthe container and in the col apsed and nested position. In this form ofthe invention, the seat-board l5 has suitably secured to it two siderails l8 that terminate short of the ends. The respective legs I6, ofwhich there are four; are pivotally supported as at I! by a suitablepivot which is herein shown in'the form of an elongated rod extendingfrom one leg to the other of each end 'pair which are, spaced apart by ablock 22 secured as at 23 to the.

underside of the seat-board. Each leg structure has a pair of crossbrace members 40 united together as at 4| and secured as at 4 2 to theseveral legs. Each leg structure alsois provided with a collapsiblebrace structure, to which specific reference will be had more fullyhereinafter in describing Fig. 3.. V

V Pivotally supported at I4 on the underside of one side railis a crossbar or retainer I3 which, at its opposite end, hasa notch I 2 that isassociated with a headed pin II positioned in a recess portion 24 of theopposite side rail I8.

This container is adapted to nest the leaves of the table top and whichare indicated in Fig. 2 by the numeral 50. Cushion bumpers 5| may alsobe provided and secured to the inner sides of thej side rails. Onespacing end' member 22 is provided with'anangular retainer 43, see Fig.'16, suitably securedto the adjacent member 22 and the portionprojecting outwardly from the member 22'into the, cavity defined'by thetwo members 22, the four legs andthe two side rails, serves to retainthe leaves of the table top insaid cavity when associated with theretaining'member I 3 and the legs of the container are extended, asshown more fully in Fig. 4, for bench formation. In other words, thisbench and combinationlcontainerimay be utilized solely as a benchwhenever desired.

I In Fig. 3 the other combination bench and containeris illustrated butthe legs are shown in the "elevated or bench forming position and Fig.4,: also is illustrative of the same in its normal bench position. It,of course, is to be understood the legs I6, in the. form of theinvention shown in Fig. 2, also are provided with the collapsible braceshown in Fig.3. The seat-board 25, as before stated, in Fig. 3 isprovided with two side rails 28 and one side rail as at H4 pivotallysupports the retaining bar I I3 having' a notch in its opposite end 2 toengage a headed pin l I I carried by the opposite side rail and thelatter is recessed as at I24 for clearance.

The four. legs are indicated by the numeral 26 and} as stated,are'pivotally supported in pairs as at 21 by a member that extendsentirely through the member "I22 secured as at I23 to the bottom of theseat-board at the ends. In this Fig. 3, however, the legs are shownextended.

The legs also are provided with the cross braces V pivotally connectedas atfl54 to an arm 55 of th'e'angle bracket 56, secured as at 51 to thebottom of the seat-board. End 58. of the member 45 serves as a 'stop,see Fig. 17, to prevent unauthorized collapse :of the brace, but thereis suflicient freedom of movement'to permit forcible collapse when thelegs are moved into substantially transverse relationship to theSwill-board and not loaded. It will be noted-see Fig. 1- that the endsof the legs are slightly biased instead of being square. This is tofacilitate interfitting with respect-to the side rails and is also, toinsure a firm support ,when in seatforming position, because then thelegs have a slightly spreading position relative to each other. Thebraces prevent spreading of the pairs of legs beyond seat sustaining orbench forming position.

The cavity formed by the two side rails 28, seat-board 25, the endmembers I22 and the several legs 26, in this particular instance, isprovided with a pair of longitudinally extending spacedmembers 6|, seeFig. 3, suitably secured as at 62 to. one of the members I22 at one endof the bench and at 63 to a Li -shaped strap lmember 64, the ends ofwhich are suitably secured,

as at 65, to the opposite leg spacing member I22.

A cover substantially T-shaped having the main portion 66 and the tongueportion 61, is hingedly connected as at 68 to the last mentioned crossmember I22, and extending across and between the two members 6| is ablock 69 having a recess 10 therein adapted to receive the bolt II of alock slidably supported in the slot 12 in the tongue portion 61 of thetop, there being exposed the hand engageable button I3. When theadjacent leg'structure is elevated and the button 13 is retracted towardthe same, the cove'rior top is unlocked, exposing the knife and forkcompartment closed by the portion 61 and the'pla'te receiving 7 by theportion of the top the cross member 69 in which event, there will be nointerference with respect to obtaining access tothe' compartmentclosedby the cover 74. This compartment'is adapted'to receive tablecloths, and the like. The other end of the cover 14, see Fig. 2, is nothinged but is slipped under an angle member I43 similar to angle member43, see'Figs. 2 and 16, which member M3 is suitably secured to theadjacent cross member I22 and may be simultaneously secured to the samewith the adjacent ends of the partition and compartment forming membersGI, as illustrated. The angle member I43 is wider than the compartmentand projects outwardly therefrom at each side so as to nest and retainthe two leg frames 59 and the leg brace structure 60, the other endsthereof being retained in the open container by means of the cross barH3, as shown. This retains the two end frames and the end frame bracesinnested relation when the container bench is to be used as a bench.When, of

course, it is not to be used as a bench, then the crossbraces I40connecting the legs, overlie'all of the aforesaid, as well as the coversfor the compartments, and serve as additional retainers.

In order to unite the two containers together when completely collapsed,one of the bench containers is provided with a socket 18 and positioned'adjacent thereto is a plate I9 which pivotally supports as at 80 alocking bar or finger IBI having the projecting portion 82 normallynestable in the recessed portion 83, and herein, the same is associatedwith each of the cross members 22. The cross member I22 is providedmounted on the side'rails as to be coincident with with thecomplementary structure in the form of a projecting pin 84 which isprovided with a transverse slot 85 and the pin is anchored by means ofthe member 21 extending through the same, the member I22 supporting thesame being recessed as at 86 to receive this pin structure.

The pin 84 when the two containers are positioned together, as shown inFig. 1, extends into the recess 18 and this occurs when the member 82 isretracted so its locking portion 18 fully exposes said opening. Afterbeing seated therein, the locking member 18 is projected into the grooveor notch 85 of the pin or projection and thus the two containers arelocked together, it being understood the complementary lockingconstructions are duplicated at the opposite end of the containers.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 10. In said figure, I00 indicates therunning board of an automobile and IOI is a clip socket anchored theretoas at I02. A U-shaped member I03 has an end I04 seatable in said clipsocket IOI and its opposite end extends downwardly and has a U-shapedextension I05. I

Pivotally supported at I06 on the underside of the running board is alocking member I01 having the bearing portion I08. The opposite end isslotted or apertured as at I09. The U-shaped portion I05 is apertured orslotted in both arms thereof as at I I0, while a padlock see Fig. 10-has its locking portion passed through the registering apertures I09 andH0 to secure the two members together with the two combination seatcontainers in associated and locked relation. In this way thecombination structure may be readily locked to the running board of thevehicle for transportation purposes.

When the combination structure is not to be so supported, the lock isopened and member I03 is detached from the clip and lock and then themember I01 is turned back beneath the running board so as to becompletely covered thereby and the member I03 and the padlock may becarried inside the car or vehicle.

In Fig. 6 the table top construction is illustrated in partiallycollapsed position. 56 indicates the respective leaves, of which anysuitable number may be provided and these are hingedly connectedtogether in accordion type relationship by pairs of aligned hinges. Oneof the simplest forms of hinge construction is illustrated herein andcomprises a hinge pivot 90 and two wings 9I from which extend oppositelytwo tongues 92 and 93, the outermost tongue 93 being adapted to lie onone side of the table leaf and the tongue 92 immediately adjacent beingadapted to lie on the other side. The leaf is provided with a cut-out orslot 94 that receives the wing or leaf 9| of the hinge and then therespective tongues 92 and 93 are hammered'down and hammered intosubstantially countersunk relationship relative to the table top.

The hinge pin lies in axial alignment with the hinging and thearrangement is such there is a minimum protuberance from the planesurface of the table when the leaves are extended into fiat table topformation and supported. The table top structure shown in Fig. 6 isnestingly associated with one of the bench containers, as shown clearlyin Fig. 2, and may be retained therein and thereby when that bench is tobe used as such or may be removed therefrom when the bench is to beassociated with the table or the table structure as desired. The tabletop support is shown in perspective in Fig. 5.

With reference to Fig. 3, the leg end. frames have been designatedgenerally by the numeral 59 and the leg frame brace structure has beendesignated by the numeral 60.

With reference to the frame brace structure, the two members arepivotally associated together as at 95 and the upper end of each of themembers 60 terminates in a tongue 96, secured as at 91 to said member,and the projecting portion 98 extends angularly of the supportingportion 96 and includes the transverse slot 99see Fig. '7.

The lower end of each of the brace members 60 has associated therewith aU-shaped strap,

the upper and lower arms of which, see Fig. 8,

are designated by the numeral I10, the midportion of which is designatedby the numeral "I. The midportion is spaced from the end of the member60 as at I12. This spacing is to receive the head of an anchoring bolt,shown more specifically in Fig. 8 and to which further reference will bemade later.

The midportion has a U-shaped slot or notch I13 therein and the sideportion I10 adjacent the open end of the slot is slotted as at I14 andis enlarged as at I15 to permit the passage of the neck and head,respectively, of the anchoring bolt.

Each leg frame structure is a duplicate of the other and a descriptionof one will sufiice for both. The numeral 59 indicates one leg of theend frame and I59 the other leg pivotally connected as at I60. To theupper end of member 59 is pivotally connected as at I6I, a cross bar I62which constitutes the table top support member. The opposite end of barI62 is recessed as at I63, see Fig. 9, and suitably secured to saidmember and overlapping the recess is a plate I64 having a slot or notchI65 therein. The upper end of bar I59 has suitably secured as at I66, alocking pin having the neck portion I61 and a head portion I68. Thus,when the locking pin I61-I68 is associated with the notch I65 of theplate I64, the leg frame structure will be suitably secured together inextended relation and it will be quite apparent that any tendency towarda further separation of the legs from the position shown in Fig. 5, willbe prevented by the interlock shown specifically in Fig. 9 and, ofcourse,

any weight applied to the cross rail I62 from the table leaves supportedthereby will also serve to maintain the locking arrangement.

The two end frames thus formed are united together in spaced relation sothat each of the hingedly connected leaves may be supported by the crossrails I62 and are united through a pair of brace members associated withthe cross member as previously described, as well as the connectionbetween the end of the bracing member 60 and the pivot I60.

Each cross rail I62 is provided with a notch or cut out I8I in its uppersurface, see Fig. 7, and this is closed by a plate I82 which is suitablysecured thereto as at I83. This plate preferably is countersunk as atI84. Plate I82 is also provided with another anchorage I85 and thelatter, in this instance, extends through the slot providing a neckportion I86.

As shown in Fig. '7 by the dotted lines, indi-.

cated by the letter X, the normal position of the member 60 withreference to the cross member I62 is as indicated. However, in theassemblying of the structure, the member 60 is forcibly moved to theleft in Fig. '1, so as to permit the tongue portion 98 carried bymember? to pass into the slot I8I without'interference from the pin oranchoring member I85, and then upon release of this forcible pressure,the neck portion I86 is seated in the notch or slot 99 of the plate 96and the upper end of the brace member 60 is locked to the end frame; Thepivot I60-see Fig. 8-which pivotally connects the two leg members 59 andI59, has a reduced portion I90 terminating in a head I9I spaced from themenrber I59. The neck portion I90 of this pivot I60 is receivable by thereduced slotted portion I14 and is slidable in slot I13 of the U-shapedanchor member I10 carried by the 'lower end of each member 60. The head'portion I9I passes through the enlargement I15 of the notch I14 of oneof the'arms I10 and the head -I9I after passing therethrough lies behindthe midportion or in the space I12 between themidportion HI and the endof the member 60 and is thus lockingly associated therewith to securethe lower end of the brace structure to the midportlon of the end frame.1

Toprev'e'nt accidental displacement, there is provided, if desired, aspring clip I96 which has an angular end I91- which, after the U-shapedment or separation, when desired.

member has been associated with the headed pin I90-I9I, overlies theportion I10 and serves to lock the leg frame'to the lower end of thebrace structure and yet permit forcible displace- In Figs. 11 and 12,there is,illustrated fled form of latch connection between the twocontainers. In Fig. 12, the numeral 284 indicates the projecting membercorresponding to member 84 of Fig. 3. It includes the notch 285,,corresponding to notch 85 ofmember 84.- The end, however, isbeveled as"at 210 for automatic reception and cooperation. I

In Fig. 11, the numeral 222 indicates the spacer block equivalent tomember 22 of Fig. 2. Plate 219 covers a 'cut out portion 216 therein andit is countersunk in'and secured to said member 222. Screws 215 and 280constitute the anchorage. Plate 222- includes the hole 218 to receivethe pin or projection v2814. Member282 is pivotally mounted at 280and'includesthe exposed portion 282a movable in the exposed recess 283in member 222. Member 282 includes an extension 282b engaging'spring 214secured-by member 215 and having anotheranchored end 213,

if desired. I a

When the'two containers are moved to abutting engagement, cam 210 entersrecess 218 and engages member 282 forcing same to permit furtherentrance of pin 284. Upon full entrance, member 282, urged by spring 214enters-notch 285 and locks thecontainers .together. Forcible movement ofmember 282 by manual engagement of end 282a secures the unseating of thecatch 282 and permits container separation.

In Fig. 14 there is illustrated a modified form V 'of connection betweenthe midportion of the leg frame and the lower end of brace member. In

said figure, 250 indicates the lower end of a brace a recess 21Iatherein providing spaced ends'21Ib.

In Fig; 13 thecomplementary portion is illustrated. Herein, 259indicates both legs pivotally united by pivot rivet 2 90 countersunk inand flush with plate 295 having the outturned end 291'.

Plate-296, see *Figrl-B, at its opposite end includes a modiprongs 292set into the leg to preventplate rotation on the pivot rivet. Plate 296includes the upturned spaced end or tongue 29 I.

When portion 21I interlocks with plate 296, tongue 29I is seated inrecess 21Ia'between portions 21Ib and lies in space 212. Accidental separation is similarly prevented by portion 29-1 bearing on the connectionbetween portions 21I and In Fig. 15, there is illustrated a modifiedform of leg brace lock for the seat structure. The member 345, similarto member 45 shown in Fig. 3, is pivotally mounted at 354 upon an arm355of the angle bracket 356 secured as at 351 tothe bottom side of,jtheseat board 325. Instead of as illustrated in Fig. 3, the lower end ofmember 345 being provided with a stop for limiting movement in onedirection only, the present form of themvention provides for. limitationof movement in both directions. Said mechanism includes a suitablemember .353 pivotally supported at 352'upon arm 355. This mechanismincludes a'finger engageable end353 and the offset parallel portion 344which is turned back from .the end 353 toward the pivot 352 and is inspaced relation to the main plane of the body portion, so asto partiallyem-. brace the member 345 along one edge.

Another extension 343 remote from the end 353 is turned back toward theend 353 andlies in substantially the same plane as the portion 344 andportion 353 .is adapted to embrace the opposite edge of the member 345.When in embracing relation and member 358 is positioned at 90 to member345, the member 345 will be positioned at -i5 to the bottom planeof theseat and thus the entire brace mechanism will be maintained in bracingposition against movement in either direction. It, of course, is to beunderstood the opposite end of member 345, not shown in Fig. 15, ispivotally connected to another brace forming member bysubstantiallythesame type of connection as shown at 52in Fig. ,3 andtheother mem ber is shown substantiallyas atv 44 in. Fig. 3.

,While the invention has been described in great detail in the foregoingspecification, it is to be understood it is solely for the purpose ofillustration and example, and is notLto be considered restrictive incharacter.

In this specification, as set forth in the appended claims, equivalent.complementary locking structures or collapsible arrangement, which willreadily suggest themselves to persons/skilled. in this art, are allconsidered to be within the scope of this invention, reference being badto vthe appended claims. V H

The invention claimediste- 1. A container forming bench including abench seat, pairs of legs at each end thereof and pivotally associatedtherewithland each pair being foldable inwardly toward each other, siderails each aligned with the legs on its sideand carried'by the undersideof said seat and'terminatingshort of the ends thereof by a distancefromeach end at, least equal to the length of a leg, said'legs when shorterthe ends thereof by a distance from'eac'h end at least equaltothe'length of a leg, said legs when collapsed and said side railsforming with forming with said seat a section of a container said seat asection of a container for carrying purposes, and brace means connectingthe respective pairs of legs and adapted to serve as retainers when thelegs are collapsed in container forming position.

3. A container forming bench including a bench seat, pairs of legs ateach end thereof and pivotally associated therewith and each pair beingfoldable inwardly toward each other, side rails each aligned with thelegs on its side and carried by the underside of said seat andterminating short of the ends thereof by a distance from each end atleast equal to the length of a leg, said legs when collapsed and saidside rails forming with said seat a section of a container for carryingpurposes, angle means positioned adjacent one end of the seat andcarried by the underside thereof and serving as an end retainer forretaining the nested contents, and other means carried by the side railsand extending from one to the other for nested content retention whenthe legs are extended for bench formation.

4. A container forming bench including a bench seat, pairs of legs ateach end thereof and pivotally associated therewith and each pair beingfoldable inwardly toward each other, side rails each aligned with thelegs on its side and carried by the underside of said seat andterminating short of the ends thereof by a distance from each end atleast equal to the length of a leg, said legs when collapsed and saidside rails forming with said seat a section of a container for storagepurposes, brace means connecting the I respective pairs of legs andadapted to serve as content retainers when the legs are collapsed incontainer forming position, angle means positioned adjacent one end ofthe seat and carried by the underside thereof and serving as an endretainer for retaining the nested contents, and other means carried bythe side rails and extending from one to the other for nested contentretention when the legs are extended for bench formation.

5. A container forming bench including a bench seat, pairs of legs ateach end thereof and pivotally associated therewith and each pair beingfoldable inwardly toward each other, side rails each aligned with thelegs on its side and carried by the underside of said seat andterminating short of the ends thereof by a distance from each end atleast equal to the length of a leg, said legs when collapsed and saidside rails forming with said seat a section of a container for storagepurposes, and hinge brace means operatively associated with each leg atone end and the underside of the seat board at the opposite end, saidbrace means being substantially in alignment with the side rail andarranged to prevent accidental collapse of the leg toward the seat andprevent additional extension of the leg relative to the seat to preventspreading of the legs beyond predetermined position.

6. A container forming bench including a bench seat, pairs of legs ateach end thereof and pivotally associated therewith and each pair beingfoldable inwardly toward each other, side rails each aligned with thelegs on its side and carried by the underside of said seat andterminating short of the ends thereof by a distance from each end atleast equal to the length of a leg, said legs when collapsed and saidside rails for storage purposes, and a covered compartment positionedwithin the side rails and the legs and occupying but a portion of thecontainer space before mentioned, the remaining space being adapted toreceive table forming members.

7. A container forming bench including a bench seat, pairs of legs ateach end thereof and pivotally associated therewith and each pair beingfoldableinwardly toward each other, side rails each aligned with thelegs on its side and carried by the underside of said seat andterminating short of the ends thereof by a distance from each end atleast equal to the length of a leg, said legs when collapsed and saidside rails forming with said seat a section of a container for storagepurposes, a covered compartment positioned within the side rails and thelegs and occupying but a portion of the container space beforementioned, the remaining space being adapted to receive table formingmembers, and brace means connecting the respective pairs of legs andadapted to serve as cover and table member retainers when the legs arecollapsed in container forming position.

8. A container forming bench including a bench seat, pairs of legs ateach end thereof and pivotally associated therewith and each pair beingfoldable inwardly toward each other, side rails each aligned with thelegs on its side and carried by the underside of said seat andterminating short of the ends thereof by a distance from each end atleast equal to the length of a leg, said legs when collapsed and saidside rails forming with said seat a section of a container for storagepurposes, a covered compartment positioned within the side rails and thelegs and occupying but a portion of the container space beforementioned, the remaining space being adapted to receive table formingmembers, angle means positioned adjacent one end of the seat and carriedby the underside thereof and serving as an end retainer for retainingthe nested contents, and other means carried by the side rails andextending from one to the other for nested content retention when thelegs are extended for bench formation.

9. A container forming bench including a bench seat, pairs of legs ateach end thereof and pivotally associated therewith and each pair beingfoldable inwardly toward each other, side rails each aligned with thelegs on its side and carried by the underside of said seat andterminating short of the ends thereof by a distance from each end atleast equal to the length of a leg, said legs when collapsed and saidside rails forming with said seat a section of a container for storagepurposes, a covered compartment positioned within the side rails and thelegs and occupying but a portion of the space in the container section,the remaining space being adapted to receive table forming members, andhinge brace means operatively associated with each leg at one end andthe underside of the seat board at a point substantially in alignmentwith the side rail at the opposite end and arranged to preventaccidental collapse of the leg toward the seat and prevent additionalextension of the leg relative to the seat to prevent spreading of thelegs beyond predetermined position.

WILLIAM H. LYKINS.

